Barristers still struggling with concept of CPD “reflection” – Legal Futures

Posted December 4th, 2019 in barristers, continuing professional development, news, reports by tracey

‘Barristers are generally happy with their new continuing professional development (CPD) regime but are struggling to understand the concept of “reflection”, independent research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 4th December 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Cabinet Office ignores court order to release secret fracking report – The Guardian

‘The Cabinet Office has defied a court order to release a secret government report on the UK’s fracking industry. Officials were expected to hand over the report on Monday, days before Britain’s first general election leaders’ debate on the climate crisis, after the information tribunal ruled it was in the public interest to disclose its findings in full.’

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The Guardian, 28th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Shrewsbury maternity scandal: Hundreds of families whose babies died or have been left with brain damage in hospital to be contacted by trust – The Independent

Posted November 22nd, 2019 in birth, families, hospitals, midwives, news, pregnancy, reports by tracey

‘Hundreds of families whose babies died or have been left with brain damage after maternity care treatment at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust are now being informed they are part of a major investigation into the largest scandal of its type ever to hit the NHS, following a report by The Independent.’

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The Independent, 21st November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Independent report into NMC’s handling of Morecambe Bay cases finds significant failings – 2 Hare Court

Posted November 20th, 2019 in birth, disciplinary procedures, hospitals, midwives, news, reports by sally

‘The Morecambe Bay Investigation (the Kirkup Report) was an inquiry into the deaths of mothers and babies at Furness General Hospital midwifery unit between 2004 and 2012. It found ten stillbirths, six neonatal deaths, and three maternal deaths were part of a pattern of failures in care at every level within the unit. There was an inability to confront the endemic poor practice that linked the incidents, and a defensive approach amongst the midwifery team. This pattern of failures was not identified or acted on for several years.’

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2 Hare Court, 15th November 2019

Source: www.2harecourt.com

“Mixed messages” from consumers on online conveyancing – Legal Futures

Posted November 19th, 2019 in conveyancing, electronic commerce, electronic filing, news, reports by sally

‘Only 19% of home buyers use online conveyancers, despite the dominance of online searches as a way of finding property, a report has found.’

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Legal Futures, 19th November 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

JUSTICE Report calls for mandatory training on the law for school teachers involved in excluding students – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 12th, 2019 in equality, news, reports, school exclusions, teachers by sally

‘A new report has called for reform of the process by which schools permanently exclude students after suggesting that school teachers have an inconsistent understanding of their Equality Act duties and that Independent Review Panels (IRPs) lack the power to remedy unlawful exclusions.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 8th November 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court reforms may not be completed in time, PAC warns – Legal Futures

Posted November 6th, 2019 in accounts, courts, delay, HM Courts Service, news, reports, select committees by sally

‘The government’s court modernisation programme may not be completed by the deadline of 2023, the House of Commons public accounts committee (PAC) has warned in its latest report on the project.’

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- Legal Futures, 6th November 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Difficulties in recruiting to District Bench “to have adverse consequences” for civil, family jurisdictions: Lord Chief Justice – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 6th, 2019 in civil justice, courts, families, news, reports by sally

‘The Lord Chief Justice has warned of “a very worrying shortfall” in the recruitment of salaried members to the District Bench this year, saying that it will have adverse consequences for the family and civil jurisdictions.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 5th November 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court users with limited access to technology at risk of being left behind by court modernisation programme: MPs – Local Government Lawyer

‘Court users with limited access to computers, poor literacy or limited understanding of how the law works could be disadvantaged and potentially left going through a case with no legal advice as a result of the courts and tribunals modernisation programme, MPs have said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st November 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Chaotic court system threatens justice for vulnerable, say MPs – The Guardian

‘The most vulnerable in society are at risk of being excluded from access to justice due to poor digital skills, lack of legal advice, court closures and “dilapidated” courthouses, MPs have warned in a damning critique of the government’s modernisation programmes.’

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The Guardian, 31st October 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Change of Culture: the CJC Working Group report on Low Value Clinical Negligence Claims – No. 5 Chambers

Posted October 31st, 2019 in costs, negligence, news, reports by sally

‘The CJC working group brought together a range of stakeholders with the aim of producing recommendations for the Department for Health and Social Care in relation to fixed recoverable costs (FRC) in low value clinical negligence claims. Broad, but not universal, consensus was reached on most issues. Further consultation by the DHSC is envisaged before a final framework is put in place.’

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No. 5 Chambers, 21st October 2019

Source: www.no5.com

Grenfell Tower inquiry: the chair’s findings so far – The Guardian

‘Firefighters’ ‘stay put’ tactics and apparent lack of preparation and construction materials criticised.’

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The Guardian, 30th October 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Grenfell families must sign gagging orders to view report – Daily Telegraph

‘Grenfell families are to be required to sign non disclosure agreements before viewing a long-awaited report in to the fire which killed 72 people, The Daily Telegraph can disclose. The bereaved and survivors of the tragedy will tomorrow meet Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, for a private briefing where they will receive an embargoed copy of the report covering the probe’s first phase, ahead of its publication on Wednesday.’

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Daily Telegraph, 27th October 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Risks facing social housing sector on the rise, warns regulator – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 24th, 2019 in health & safety, housing, news, rent, reports by sally

‘Strategic and operational risks facing the social housing sector are on the rise, the Regulator of Social Housing’s Sector risk profile 2019 has suggested.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 23rd October 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Post-Legislative Memorandum: The Defamation Act 2013 – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 18th, 2019 in defamation, legislation, news, reports, select committees by tracey

‘This post-legislative memorandum contains information on the operation of the Defamation Act 2013 for consideration by the Justice Select Committee.’

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Ministry of Justice, 17th October 2019

Source: www.gov.uk

Law Commissions looks to future with self-driving vehicles – Law Commission

Posted October 18th, 2019 in artificial intelligence, Law Commission, press releases, reports, road traffic by tracey

‘Law Commissions publish proposals on the regulation of highly automated vehicles that operate without a driver (or “user-in-charge”).’

Full press release

Law Commission, 16th October 2019

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Push for tougher line on witness statements – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 18th, 2019 in drafting, evidence, news, reports, witnesses by tracey

‘Initial proposals for the reform of witness statements are due to be considered by the senior judiciary in November, a High Court judge said this week. Mr Justice Baker, a member of the Witness Evidence Working Group, told delegates at the Law Society’s Commercial Litigation Conference on Tuesday that the group has now completed its report, which is due to be considered by judges at a “higher pay grade” next month.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 18th October 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Met Commissioner apologises over ‘Nick’ inquiry as ‘whitewash’ report clears officers of wrongdoing – Daily Telegraph

‘Dame Cressida Dick has apologised for the mistakes made during Scotland Yard’s disastrous Operation Midland investigation as a “whitewash” report from the police watchdog absolved all her officers involved of any wrongdoing.’

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Daily Telegraph, 7th October 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sir Richard Henriques report – Metropolitan Police

‘Chapters 1 – 3 of Sir Richard Henriques’ Independent Review of the MPS’s handling of non-recent sexual offence investigations alleged against persons of public published following the conclusion of criminal proceedings against Carl Beech.’

Full text

Metropolitan Police, 4th October 2019

Source: www.met.police.uk

‘Unprecedented’ level of special needs complaints upheld – BBC News

‘Breaches of children’s legal right to have special educational needs support have reached unprecedented levels, says an official complaints body. England’s local government ombudsman said not only had there been a spike in complaints, but nine out of 10 of them were upheld in 2018-19.’

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BBC News, 4th October 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk